Apprentice knockback

THE Palaszczuk Government has rejected $245 million in Federal funds intended to create up to 50,000 training places for apprentices in areas suffering shortages, in a move Skills minister Michaelia Cash has slammed as “an absolutely astounding decision”.

Queensland was one of two states and territories to knock back the money for training places being offered by the Commonwealth.

Qld Employment Minister Shannon Fentiman said there was not enough cash, it had not been guaranteed and had too many strings attached.